While a bass is in the guitar family, it has its own unique size, strings, tuning, and sound. Learn the differences between bass and guitar and which is right for you with .
Learning to play an instrument is an exciting adventure. If you’re a music lover and driven to play songs you love and maybe create your own down the line, the prospect of choosing an instrument is thrilling. However, new players just starting out on their musical journey may wonder which instrument is right for them to learn. Two of the most common stringed instruments that new musicians gravitate toward are guitar and bass.
While there are definite similarities between guitar and bass, there are some key differences between the two instruments. Each has their own unique qualities and play a distinct role within a band or musical piece. Deciding which instrument to learn to play first is a matter of preference. However, there are some pros and cons in the age-old battle of bass vs guitar that can help you make the right decision for you.
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In this article, we’ll cover some of the differences and similarities between the two instruments and why you may want to learn how to play bass or guitar, as well as why you may want to play one instead of the other. (Or, better yet, learn one first and apply that knowledge to learning the other instrument at a later time!)
Often, you’ll hear a bass called a “bass guitar.” So, is a bass a guitar? While the bass is part of the guitar family, there are some clear differences between the two instruments.
The term “bass guitar” originated as a way to differentiate the smaller, horizontal style of electric bass from its original stand-up form. In many orchestral ensembles (and even some modern jazz ensembles), a large, booming, stand-up bass was commonplace. It wasn’t until the 1930s that the first electric bass as we know it was invented and made to be played horizontally. By electrifying the bass, it helped amplify the volume of this smaller version and give it the imposing sound of its older, stand-up counterpart.
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While a modern electric bass and guitar may look similar, there are a number of ways these two instruments differ from each other, such as their size, number and thickness of strings, and the role each plays within a band.
Although a bass and a guitar may be hard to tell apart to new musicians, if you place a bass vs guitar next to each other, you’ll see a difference in size. In many cases, “scale length” is talked about when referring to the size of a guitar or bass. And while the total height of a guitar or bass can vary, “scale length” refers specifically to the distance between the nut and the bridge of an instrument -- from the bottom of the pick guard to just below where the headstock connects to the neck.
A bass is larger than a guitar. And while there are several different scales of basses -- long-scale and short-scale -- both types of basses have a longer neck than that of a standard guitar. A bass can have between 20 and 24 frets, depending on the style of bass, the length of its neck, and how far apart its frets are spaced.
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• The scale length of a guitar can range between 24” to 30” in most cases. However, most 6-string guitars feature a scale length of between 24” and 25.5”.
• The scale length of a baritone guitar is typically around 27”, not quite as long as a bass or as short as a guitar. In addition to being longer, baritone guitars are typically tuned a fourth lower than a guitar (BEADF#B), compared to the standard (EADGBE) tuning of most guitars. Contrary to popular belief, the terms “baritone guitar” and “six-string bass” are not interchangeable.
• A short-scale bass is 30”. Short-scale bases have a shorter distance between their frets, making them ideal for players with smaller hands, or guitarists who may be transitioning to play bass. This shorter, more compact feel may make it easier for them to travel up and down the neck.
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If you’re trying to decide whether a long-scale or a short-scale bass is right for you, there is a difference in tone between the two, as well. A short-scale bass has a thicker, more meaty sound because it often uses a slightly heavier gauge of string. (More on that later!)
And while shorter-scale bases are considered more rare among players, there are quite a few iconic examples of the short-scale bass, including the Mustang Bass, as well as the Squier Bronco Bass. Whether you opt to go short or long when it comes to playing bass, both sizes offer a beefier, more bottom-heavy sound than the guitar.
When it comes to bass vs. guitar, one of the biggest differences between the two instruments is in their respective number of strings. Most guitars have six strings while the majority of basses only have four strings. There are, however, some exceptions to the rule.
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Some guitars have 12 strings. The neck of a 12-stringed guitar is typically thicker than that of a standard 6-string guitar in order to support more strings. Also, a 12-string guitar produces a richer tone due to the fact that its first (and lowest four strings) are paired together with a second string that is just one octave higher. A 12-string guitar’s two highest-toned strings (B and E) are paired with a second string that matches its tone at the same octave level. To hear the resonant, choral effect of a 12-string guitar in action, listen for it on classic songs such as “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here.”
Although most bass guitars stick to the standard four strings, bass guitars have a wider range of modifications when it comes to different numbers of strings and even different neck features. There are also five-string and six-string bass models. For instance, the Bass VI is a six-stringed bass that gives you the option to experiment with more alternate tunings and more strings to play with. Some other variations on a standard bass include fretless necks, similar to those found on a stand-up bass.
Even though there are typically only four strings on a bass, bass strings are longer, thicker, and more expensive than guitar strings. If you’re playing an electric guitar, steel or nickel strings are the way to go. However, if you play acoustic guitar, you have the option to look to either metal strings or softer nylon strings that offer a more delicate tone.
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While guitarists certainly have a number of options for their strings of choice, bassists have even more different styles of strings to experiment with. Some of the different types of bass strings include:
• Roundwound bass strings: Arguably the most popular type of bass string, roundwound strings feature a steel core wrapped with a stainless steel or nickel round wire, giving them a bright, loud tone. Their heavier construction makes them an ideal choice for players who want to try out a slap bass style of playing.
• Flatwound bass strings: A favorite of jazz bassists, flatwound strings have a steel core wrapped with a flat wire to offer a smoother, more mellow tone.
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• Tapewound bass strings: Not quite as popular, tapewound bass strings have either a flat or round metal winding wire wrapped with a layer of nylon. A tell-tale feature of this type of string is that these strings are often black in color. Tapewound bass strings produce a softer tone and are easier on the fingers, making them ideal for bassists who favor playing with their fingers instead of a pick.
• Groundwound (or Half-Round) bass strings: The least common type of bass strings compared to those mentioned here, groundwound strings are a hybrid of roundwound and flatwound strings. They start out as roundwound strings, but are pressed or ground to flatten their outer layer. This gives them a brighter tone, but minimizes fret wear.
Your own personal style of bass playing may help you decide which type of strings are right for you. In the neverending debate surrounding whether to play bass with a pick vs. your fingers, you’ll find some styles of bass string, such as roundwound strings, are heavier and may work better for a “slap and pop” style of bass -- withstanding the aggressive plucking and striking of the strings. Other bassists who want to employ a gentler touch while still playing with fingers may look to softer tapewound bass strings. And players who want to use a pick on their strings may prefer the tone of a flatwound or groundwound string for their style of playing.
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While the lowest four strings on a guitar correspond to the four strings on a bass when played in the open position, the bass is tuned much lower than the guitar. In fact, bass strings are tuned down one whole octave in pitch. So, while the lowest-toned string on both a guitar
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